Arnica. Who knew it was such a miracle ingredient? If you exercise and have sore muscles after, if you have arthritis or suffer from stiff, swollen joints, bruise easily, or even if you get a bug bite, arnica is the answer to your prayers. Here are the benefits are arnica:

Help reduce pain related to sore muscles and joints

Help heal bruises faster

Aid in reducing swelling and inflammation

Help speed recovery

Help ease joint stiffness and aches

Help reduce swelling from insect bites

KNEIPP® has an entire line of products with arnica as the main ingredient and I have four to tell you about today. I am an avid exerciser – I work out with a trainer (I put him in my contact list as ‘Mr. Grey’ because I swear he is a sadist) and I also bike and do interval training classes. Plus, I recently had shoulder surgery so it seems like I am constantly sore and in some sort of pain! I was chomping at the bit to put these products to the test.

The KNEIPP® ARNICA INTENSIVE CREAM ($22) is a light massage cream with a 10% Arnica tincture for pain relief. I find this is the stuff to put on even before the pain starts – when you know it’s coming, massage some of this in, and it really eases the pain and soreness. I put this on before ‘leg day’ workouts and my soreness afterwards is greatly reduced. It’s also terrific for application at night, then when you wake up in the morning soreness and stiffness is much less than usual. The cream absorbs in quickly and easily without any greasiness and the product is all natural and vegan.

Kneipp Arnica Massage Oil

I love a good massage oil and the KNEIPP® ARNICA MASSAGE OIL ($23) is a great one! It has a base of arnica and ginger extracts, along with shea butter, sunflower oil, and almond oil. The arnica extract works on joints and muscles, addressing both pain and inflammation in addition to the way the massage is helping your muscles relax and recover. The slip is fantastic and the oil absorbs slowly so you actually use less of the product, which means the bottle lasts longer than most bottles of massage oil – and the massage itself lasts longer, always a plus!!

Kneipp Arnica Cooling Gel

Kneipp Arnica Cooling Gel

The KNEIPP® ARNICA COOLING GEL ($15) is a really neat product that anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet will appreciate. It’s a very refreshing gel that is amazing for specific, targeted areas to reduce inflammation. There is nothing that feels better than having a rub down of your aching calves and feet with this fabulous gel – it’s like heaven! This is also great to apply on bruised areas for quicker healing.

Kneipp Active Gel

Kneipp Active Gel

The KNEIPP® ARNICA & MOUNTAIN PINE ACTIVE GEL ($25) is a must-have for sports enthusiasts. It’s terrific to use while you are actually working out, like biking or hiking. You just massage in a little of the gel to any area that is getting sore for instant relief, and it helps to keep muscles from getting sore and keep bruises from developing. After working out, using this gel will help your muscles and joints recover more quickly. It’s great stuff! I love how it doesn’t have all the chemicals that you find in other pain creams that are on the market.

KNEIPP®is a wonderful go-to for pain relief products whether you have arthritis or are an athlete or just have occasional aches and pains. They also some arnica bath products that I haven’t tested that look great, too. Keep yourself feeling great and pain-free with KNEIPP®! – Lisa

You can find happiness in the small moments. I think that’s why we are all beauty junkies, don’t you? We delight in the sparkle, the transformation, the first moment inhaling a beautiful scent, and the beauty that comes with allowing worry to melt away with the rituals of putting on eye makeup or taking a bath. That’s what the Rituals line is all about and their Ritual of Hamman line, available at Ulta, has some affordable and delightful products that are destined to become part of your own rituals.

Ritual of Hamman Volume and Shine Shampoo

Ritual of Hamman Volume & Shine Shampoo ($19) is one of the nicest shampoos I have ever tried. Ingredients include Argan oil and eucalyptus, and it gives hair tons of volume and lots of glossy shine. It smells beautiful – not too sharp from the eucalyptus, but still clean and just wonderful. I am totally loving it and it really is a shampoo that makes you get lost in the moment. It’s suitable for all hair types including color treated hair.

Ritual of Hamman Ultra Hydrating Black Soap

Ritual of Hamman Ultra Hydrating Black Soap

Ritual of Hamman Ultra Hydrating Black Soap

The Ritual of Hammam Black Soap ($15) is a tar-black paste that cleanses and exfoliates skin. There is something almost naughty about smearing this all over in the shower – kind of like playing in a mud puddle! It foams up and cleanses skin beautifully, leaving it incredibly soft and moist. I especially like using this at the end of a faux tan because of the exfoliating properties. Ingredients include eucalyptus and olive oil. It’s just wonderful – you’ve got to try this!!

Ritual of Hamman Warming Massage Oil

The Ritual of Hammam Massage Oil ($19) is a warming massage oil that has a yummy, nutty scent. I love it for massage and I also use it as a daily body oil. It’s not super slick, so it works for daily use just fine, and it smells soooo good I want it on all the time. I love the glass jar because it lets out a little bit of the oil at a time, unlike other massage oils where it all comes spilling out at once. This is a total winner on all counts and is a great way to take care of your skin.

Slow down and create some rituals for yourself. Use some wonderful products and savor every moment. You are worth it! – Lisa